# ClockMaster vs Decibel X

The clearest difference is price: Decibel X at Free against ClockMaster's $49.99. Decibel X also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.8) and ratings volume (163K vs 52). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Decibel X is free to download; ClockMaster costs $49.99 up front. ClockMaster sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Decibel X sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Decibel X holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Decibel X has 163K ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of ClockMaster's written reviews are positive against 62% of Decibel X's.

ClockMaster ships an update every 5 months, Decibel X every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ClockMaster | Decibel X |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $49.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.8 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockmaster-time-regulator/id413901882/reviews) | **[4.6 (163K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decibel-xdb-sound-level-meter/id448155923/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 52 | **163K** |
| Positive reviews | 58.6% of reviews | **61.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 5 MB | 90 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ONYX Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/356553882) | [SkyPaw Co., Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1842040687) |

## What reviewers say

### ClockMaster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockmaster-time-regulator/id413901882)

This app analyzes the ticking sound of mechanical pendulum clocks to determine their running rate and error. It's designed for accurate long-term measurements, allowing users to regulate clocks efficiently. Advanced features include printable reports and data export for in-depth analysis.

**Highlights:** Analyzes escapement ticking sound, Measures running rate in Beats Per Hour (B/H), Reports error in Seconds Per Day (±S/D), Supports long-term measurements, Generates printable PDF reports (Pro), Exports raw data as .csv file (Pro)

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ClockMaster Pro | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works very well
- 👍 Accurately sets beat and calibrates time
- 👍 Good alternative to expensive dedicated instruments
- 👍 Elegant display for setting beat and symmetry
- 👍 Works well for professional clock repairers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Frustrating data handling
- 😞 Spreadsheet export issues
- 😞 iPhone notifications stop measurements
- 😞 Does not work for 400-day clocks
- 😞 External mic option missing

**Reported bugs**

- Data lost if app stops unexpectedly
- iPhone notifications interrupt measurements
- External mic option not available
- App freezes after iOS upgrade
- Screen touch points unresponsive

**Requested features**

- Printable protocol like a timegrapher
- Beat delta info on regulation screen
- Option to manually restart measurement and append
- Undocumented units in spreadsheet export
- Include actual time in spreadsheet export


### Decibel X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/decibel-xdb-sound-level-meter/id448155923)

This app transforms your device into a professional sound level meter, precisely measuring ambient noise pressure. It offers advanced features like frequency analysis, historical data management, and dosimeter functions, making it useful for various applications and entertainment.

**Highlights:** Precise sound pressure level measurement, Frequency spectrum analysis (FFT, BAR graphs), Historical data recording and export, Dosimeter with NIOSH, OSHA standards, Apple Watch and Health App integration, Customizable calibration and filters

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Membership | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Membership | $5.99 | per month |
| Annual Membership | $49.99 | per year |
| ITU-R 468, A, B, C Weightings | $1.99 | one-time |
| Data Export | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Excellent app
- 👍 Easy to use and understand
- 🔍 Useful for various applications
- 🎓 Helpful for hearing protection
- 🔧 Accurate and reliable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Misleading free trial
- 📢 Intrusive ads
- 🤖 Inaccurate readings compared to professional meters
- 🤔 Confusing interface

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when deleting recordings
- Microphone issues on certain devices
- Saved files not accessible after updates

**Requested features**

- Add GPS coordinates to recordings
- Improve reporting and data export
- Provide more weighting options
- Extend frequency range
- Allow music playback while using the app


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ClockMaster free?

ClockMaster costs $49.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Decibel X free?

Decibel X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ClockMaster or Decibel X?

Decibel X is rated higher. ClockMaster averages 3.8 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Decibel X averages 4.6 from 163K ratings.

### Do ClockMaster or Decibel X have ads?

Neither ClockMaster nor Decibel X shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ClockMaster or Decibel X?

ClockMaster ships an update every 5 months, and Decibel X every 3 months. Most recently, ClockMaster was updated on October 26, 2026 and Decibel X on October 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*